What are warts?

Warts mainly occur in children, but some adults also suffer from them. What exactly are warts and what can we do about them?

Warts are caused by an infection of the skin with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They mainly occur on our hands and feet because we are more likely to hurt ourselves there. Even very minor injuries can cause infection. Warts are more common in children because their skin is more fragile. The virus will cause faster multiplication of the skin, causing callus-shaped painful nodules.

Most warts disappear spontaneously if you wait long enough. For aesthetic reasons, treatment can still be considered. It is preferable to cut away the warts daily, followed by applying salicylic acid. In some cases the wart will be frozen or burned away. In extreme cases, the wart must be cut away or injections of bleomycin may be necessary.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20371125

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024